Must-See Museums – Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

I like to recommend attractions that are most certainly not just down the road. Make you work for it a little.

The Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center is not reason enough to travel to Alaska, but if your adventures do one day take you to Anchorage (and I hope that they do), this stunning, modern, inventive and always-expanding art museum should be near the top of your list. Take it from someone who’s been multiple times: there’s no place more beautiful than Alaska and no place more deserving the eyes of the artist.

The Anchorage Museum is an interesting case, actually. Perhaps due to its location, the facility has expanded time and again to become a jack-of-all-museums. It’s not focused enough on art to be considered just an art museum, nor enough on history. With the completion of an expansion this upcoming spring and the arrival of the Smithsonian Institute Arctic Studies Center, the museum will also have a significant science wing. Simply, there’s a lot going on.

For out-of-state visitors giving it just the once, this setup is perfect.

While art is not the primary focus of the museum, it is the primary focus of our trip. Incredible, just incredible. Set your sights on “Art of the North”, a permanent exhibit featuring seven galleries of both Alaskan artists and art of Alaska. See the breathtaking landscapes of “The Last Frontier” the way a true master sees them. The exhibit features several landscapes by influential Alaskan painter Sydney Laurence (see inset).

You’ll find several more fascinating exhibits delving into the rich history of Alaska and the Yukon, presenting paintings, sketches, photography and artifacts from one of the roughest times and places in American history. An exhibit dedicated to the art and artifacts of Alaskan natives is also a must-see.

If you miss it this year, don’t fret. In fact, after spring 2010 the Anchorage Museum will be more magnificent the ever. A $100 million expansion is underway as we speak, brining scientific study and exhibits into the museum’s bountiful basket. We have no doubt it will be great to see.

The Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center is currently operating under summer hours, open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Adult pricing is $8 (and well worth it). After September 13, the museum will shorten its hours and close every Monday for the winter. Learn more.

Devout USA Travel Guide readers should know the score by now. Our favorite Anchorage, AK hotel has got to be the Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites. The location is choice, the views are amazing, the service is always on point, and it’s just a nice, boutique attitude without pretension. We mention a lot of big brands on this blog; this is our chance to do something a little different.

Have fun!

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